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PRESENTATION

Historical context and current site conditions of the proposed development area

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This chapter provides the historical background of the site and describes its current conditions. It explains how the area transitioned from swampland to its current use as parking lots for Citi Field.

The land was originally purchased by Robert Moses in 1936 for use as parking lots for the 1939 World's Fair.
Despite being mapped as parkland, the area has never been used as a public park.
Currently, the site consists of 50 acres of asphalt parking lots owned by the city and leased to the Mets.

Julissa Ferreras-Copeland

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In 1936, Robert Moses used his authority as Parks Commissioner to purchase and designate this land for use as parking lots for the nineteen thirty nine World's Fair.

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By virtue of this history, it became part of Flushing Meadows Corona Park and was mapped as parkland on the city map despite continuous usage as parking lots.

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Next.

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Although this area is mapped as parkland, during its entire existence it has only ever been a swamp, a garbage dump, and then a parking lot.

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First for the World's Fair and later to service Shea Stadium and City Field.

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It has never had a public park.

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Next.

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Introduction and overview of the Queen's Future/Metropolitan Park proposal

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Community engagement process and feedback for the Metropolitan Park project